650 volunteers to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with day of service fighting hunger

What: With generous support from Bank of America, more than 650 volunteers will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a Day of Service repacking food and sorting food-drive donations at two Oregon Food Bank facilities.

Who: At Oregon Food Bank in northeast Portland: OFB Board Chair Arnie Gardner. Bank of America employees; PacifiCorp; Hands on Greater Portland in partnership with United Way; Beery, Elsner & Hammond, LLP; Bullard Law; Molalla High School National Honor Society; Sabin Elementary School students; Girl School Troop #42438; Laurelhurst Service Club; PSU Public Administration Student Association; and other families and individuals. At Oregon Food Bank West: Bank of America employees, Hands on Greater Portland in partnership with United Way, PacifiCorp, Southridge High School National Honor Society, Pacific University and others.

Why: To honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a Day of Service fighting hunger. Congress passed this sanctioned MLK Day of Service to challenge Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action.

Quote: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” – The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Quote: “Dr. King viewed acts of service as the great equalizer. ‘Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve,’ he said. “We thank the many people who will volunteer at OFB on MLK Day and throughout the year. We couldn’t do our work without them. At Oregon Food Bank, we know every volunteer is truly great.” – Arnie Gardner, chair, OFB Board

Quote: “Bank of America is committed to strengthening our local communities and proudly partners with Oregon Food Bank to address the critical issue of hunger. It is a powerful and moving experience to see so many people working side-by-side on one day to honor the spirit of Dr. King and to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.” -- Roger Hinshaw, president, Oregon and Southwest Washington at Bank of America

Goals: 1) Process 100,000 pounds of food – equivalent to more than 83,000 meals – in one day – as much as the two facilities process in a regular work week! 2) Collect 1,000 pounds of food donations – equivalent to more than 830 meals – in one day. OFB encourages each volunteer to donate two nutritious, nonperishable food items.

Visual: Lots of colorful, bustling activity. Volunteers – young and old – repacking and sorting food in every nook and cranny of the warehouse. Find out what motivates people to spend this holiday volunteering.

Sponsor: Bank of America is generously providing financial support to purchase food and supplies and to enable OFB to stay open on a scheduled holiday. Olive Garden will provide hot meals for volunteers at both facilities.